During his playing career, Holmström was widely considered as one of the NHL's best at screening the opposition's goaltender, as well as for his physical presence in front of the opposition's net.[1][2]

During the 2009–10 season, Holmström was initially selected to play in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. A knee injury sustained on 13 February 13, 2010, in a game against the Ottawa Senators, however, prevented him from playing in the tournament. It was announced the next day, on February 14, that he would be replaced by friend and Red Wing teammate Johan Franzén.[5] The announcement came from Sweden Head Coach Bengt-Åke Gustafsson. On June 4, 2010, during the season's subsequent off-season, Holmström agreed on a two-year contract extension to remain in Detroit after an impressive season in which he scored 25 goals, second on the team only to sniper Pavel Datsyuk's 27; Holmström also scored a team-high 13 goals on the power play.

On February 12, 2012, Holmström became only the sixth Red Wing and 272nd NHL player to play 1,000 games.[6]

After the retirement of long-time Red Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidström at the end of the 2011–12 season, Holmström became the last active player from the 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup-winning Detroit teams to still be active with the team.

On January 22, 2013, Holmström announced his retirement from professional hockey just hours before Detroit's home opener at Joe Louis Arena against the Dallas Stars in the lockout-shortened season.[7] As of January 2013[update], Holmström held the following records with the Red Wings: sixth in most regular season games played, fourth in playoff games played and 13th in points scored.[8]

During his playing career, Holmström was known for his presence in front of the opposition's goal and his ability to screen the opposing team's goaltender.[9] Because he had to withstand teammates' shots towards goal, as well as efforts from opponents to vacate him from in front of the net, Holmström wore additional padding to protect his body.[10] During a playoff series against the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2009, Detroit Head Coach Mike Babcock said of Holmström, "I think there's [defencemen] out there who think they might actually get to him. That's just not possible."[11]

Due to his obstructive playing style and close proximity to goalies and the crease, Holmström attained a reputation and was often charged with goaltender interference penalties as well as occasionally having goals called back because of his proximity to the goaltender's crease. Holmström himself, as well as Red Wings TV announcers Mickey Redmond and Ken Daniels and various national hockey pundits, often questioned the legitimacy of these calls by the on-ice officials.[12][13]

Holmström was known to many fans in Detroit by the nickname of "Homer." He acquired the nickname "Demolition Man" while playing in Sweden, where he was also called "Holma."